Home-based repair service receives a 'do pass'

The Hot Springs County Land Use Planning Commission met last week to consider a request for a permit for a home-based business, Ty’s Truck and Trailer Repair.

Tyler and Chelesa Heimann requested the permit for a business doing onsite repair of heavy-duty trucks and trailers as well as a mobile, 24-hour response service for off-site service calls. The property is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Webb Road and Hwy. 20 North, about 5.4 miles north of town.

The Heimanns would like to have the business on site of their personal residence, with the repair service inside an existing shop and a carport they are currently enclosing. The only indication of the business would be a sign located near the highway.

The proposal, according to County Planner Bo Bowman, is a ‘fast track’ permit that does not change the land use category.

If the home-based business is granted the permit, it may continue to be operated by future residents as the permit runs with the land.

There are currently 8-10 residences within a quarter mile of the property, a majority of which are running irrigated hayfields and pastures with plenty of room between them and the Heimann’s property. None of the surrounding property owners indicated a problem with the business after receiving letters from the county planner.

With businesses in the midst of residential or ag properties, there is always a concern about increased traffic in the area. However, Bowman expects the impact to be negligible with this business.

After a short discussion, the planning commission forwarded the request to the county commissioners with a ‘do pass’ recommendation with the following conditions of approval:

There shall be no additional outdoor lighting that is associated with the vehicle repair business.

On-site signage identifying the activity shall be limited to the existing two-sided sign, which will not be illuminated at night.

Should the owner of the property no longer reside on the property, this approval for a home-based business shall cease immediately.

The vehicle repair activity shall be limited to the southern portion of the property, accessed from Webb Road.

The vehicle repair activity shall not utilize direct access from the highway.

No more than one truck tractor and one truck trailer shall be parked outside of a structure in association with the repair business.